The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[ELCID86]

So on my next oil change I plan to swap out my oil level sensor since it's been sending low-oil warnings quite often despite the dipstick indicating oil is at the "full" marker. I already ordered the part a while ago and sprang for the BMW part rather than the Hella, while also purchasing the gasket for it. My first question is, is there any other part needed to swap out my oil level sensor, apart from the sensor itself and the gasket (which is apparently redundant because the BMW oil level sensor appears to have come with one)?

My next question is that when I opened up the box containing the oil level sensor, there were some instructions that said the following:



I assume that since the notice says "Affects vehicles with an S54 engine manufactured before March 1, 2001" I don't have to worry about any DME stuff for my car? I plan to disconnect the battery when I swap out the sensors.

Finally, not a question, but I remember BP picked up a Hella oil level sensor and surmised that the unit was in fact a BMW part, just with the BMW logo scrubbed off. I'm inclined to agree (see photo below). Anyone planning to replace their oil level sensor would be smart to save ~$90 and get the Hella unit.

It's a pretty easy swap. Just the three nuts (or bolts--On one of my car's the whole stud pulled out--like a bolt but all went back together fine.


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46fanatic

[fredo]

I just went through my PO's service records, and see that he's used two different oil weights through the history of the car.

Is there a contemporary "most preferred" oil for our cars? I might want to just swap in whatever is best, just to be 100% sure it's there now.

I'm in Oregon, if climate matters.

My Indy used Mobil 5-40 synthetic the last time. Car has 140,000 miles.

[Vas]

Just remove and replace the oil sensor

[az3579]

So on my next oil change I plan to swap out my oil level sensor since it's been sending low-oil warnings quite often despite the dipstick indicating oil is at the "full" marker. I already ordered the part a while ago and sprang for the BMW part rather than the Hella, while also purchasing the gasket for it. My first question is, is there any other part needed to swap out my oil level sensor, apart from the sensor itself and the gasket (which is apparently redundant because the BMW oil level sensor appears to have come with one)?

My next question is that when I opened up the box containing the oil level sensor, there were some instructions that said the following:



I assume that since the notice says "Affects vehicles with an S54 engine manufactured before March 1, 2001" I don't have to worry about any DME stuff for my car? I plan to disconnect the battery when I swap out the sensors.

Finally, not a question, but I remember BP picked up a Hella oil level sensor and surmised that the unit was in fact a BMW part, just with the BMW logo scrubbed off. I'm inclined to agree (see photo below). Anyone planning to replace their oil level sensor would be smart to save ~$90 and get the Hella unit.

I just went through my PO's service records, and see that he's used two different oil weights through the history of the car.

Is there a contemporary "most preferred" oil for our cars? I might want to just swap in whatever is best, just to be 100% sure it's there now.

I'm in Oregon, if climate matters.

There is nothing DME related you have to worry about. Just removed old, put new in, call it a day.

Thanks for confirming that the OE part is the same exact thing as what I bought. After looking at the price difference, I didn't think twice about ordering the Hella part, especially since I know Hella makes a lot of OE parts for BMW. Seeing the logo scratched off was a relief because that confirmed my suspicion that the two parts were one in the same.

Since you bought an OE part, keep in mind it carries a 2-year warranty. Keep the receipt!

[BMWCurves]

I just went through my PO's service records, and see that he's used two different oil weights through the history of the car.

Is there a contemporary "most preferred" oil for our cars? I might want to just swap in whatever is best, just to be 100% sure it's there now.

I'm in Oregon, if climate matters.

BMW's oil from the parts department is 5W-30. It's what I have currently in my car. I'm moving to Mobil 1 0W-40 on my next oil change. Not sure what is the most preferred oil for our cars, but from the Mafia oil thread (link), it should be Group IV or Group V oil, and:

"If you decide you want to run an oil not on this list either ask or buy one that meets the following. Our cars like to run oil that has a Viscocity @ 100°C of 11-14 (cSt). I probably wouldn't buy an oil that goes out of this range. Your Winter (W) weight should be 0, 5, or 10. Your upper number should be 30 or 40. If you jump out of these ranges you risk hurting the engine."

Hope that helps. Read through that oil thread, a lot of interesting details.

There is nothing DME related you have to worry about. Just removed old, put new in, call it a day.

Thanks for confirming that the OE part is the same exact thing as what I bought. After looking at the price difference, I didn't think twice about ordering the Hella part, especially since I know Hella makes a lot of OE parts for BMW. Seeing the logo scratched off was a relief because that confirmed my suspicion that the two parts were one in the same.

Since you bought an OE part, keep in mind it carries a 2-year warranty. Keep the receipt!

Perfect, thanks for confirming the DME stuff for me! And I like to go BMW whenever I can, but when it's literally the same part just with the branding scratched off, I have no problem saving some money. Picking Hella was a smart choice, BP.

[fredo]

Yeah, looking at the service records the PO used 5W-30 on the ZHP.

mynamenumber, what oil did you see in your records ?

[mynamenumber]

PO's service records indicate at least a time period using 10W30 and another, earlier time with 5W40W. Papers don't seem to indicate brand, though.

EDIT: Thanks for the link to the oil thread, reading now.

FAKE EDIT: Does anyone have experience with places like Oil Can Henry and the like? Is it safe to just do an oil swap there, or should I go to a proper shop / dealer?

[fredo]

When I bought my first BMW (e36 back in 2004) I tried one of those places (Jiffy Lube here). They said: we don't work on BMWs.

I found a good Indy and been going over there for some years. At the same time, they take a look at the car and tell me what needs immediate or future attention.

[BMWCurves]

PO's service records indicate at least a time period using 10W30 and another, earlier time with 5W40W. Papers don't seem to indicate brand, though.

EDIT: Thanks for the link to the oil thread, reading now.

FAKE EDIT: Does anyone have experience with places like Oil Can Henry and the like? Is it safe to just do an oil swap there, or should I go to a proper shop / dealer?

Personally I avoid places like Jiffy Lube and Oil Can Henry's like the plague. You hear a lot of horror stories but I have three personal ones:

1. When I was a kid my nanny took her Jeep to have her brake fluid flushed. In and out, no problem, but as she was on the highway someone rolled down their window and said "your wheel's on fire." I was six at the time so my memory might be fuzzy on details, but I distinctly remember her saying there was significant damage right after she had the work done.
2. My sister's Jetta was due for an oil change when I was in high school so I took it to an Oil Can Henry's. I got out and decided to watch and I witnessed as they tried to put a mix of old oil and new oil back in. I kid you not. I thought that was some horror stories, but they did exactly that. I went and talked to the manager and eventually had to have my dad come around to back me up since the manager didn't believe some teenager knew what he was talking about.
3. My buddy went for an oil change recently and basically they barely filled it with oil, he was about 2 quarts short when he rolled off the premises.

Just another recent example of a guy with his Audi S4: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...il-change-shop

Long story short, find and a good indy mechanic, or do it yourself.

[stephenkirsh]

I use wheel works for my wife's accord and my miata. So far so good. They're open weekends, which is about 99% why I can't use an indy. It's such a hassle to deal with getting rides or loaners or whatever is needed for a place open m-f 9-6.